Fear is the Enemy of Good Decisions.

October 2025 - Don't Be Scared

Why Fear Is the Enemy of Good Decisions

Fear has a way of sneaking into our finances. Sometimes it’s the fear of losing money. Other times, it’s the fear of missing out. Either way, fear is one of the most powerful emotions in investing and one of the most dangerous.

When markets dip, headlines scream, or the economy feels uncertain, our instincts tell us to do something. Sell. Wait. Hide. But those instincts often stem from what behavioral finance calls loss aversion: the tendency to feel the pain of losses twice as strongly as the joy of gains. In other words, losing $1,000 hurts far more than gaining $1,000 feels good.

Loss aversion can lead investors to make short-term decisions that undermine long-term progress. Selling when the market drops may provide emotional relief in the moment, but it can also lock in losses and miss the recovery that follows. On the flip side, fear of missing out can drive people into hot investments they don’t understand - just because everyone else seems to be making money.

At LeConte Wealth, our Purpose-Built Planning process is designed to quiet that noise. We help clients replace fear with facts and emotion with intention. Instead of reacting to markets, we anchor decisions to a personalized plan that’s built around YOU.

When you have a Purpose-Built Plan, you know what you own, why you own it, and how it fits into your bigger picture. That clarity turns uncertainty into confidence - because every decision connects back to your purpose.

So the next time fear starts whispering, remember: being scared is human, but letting fear drive your financial choices isn’t necessary. With the right plan in place, you can stay calm, stay focused, and keep moving forward no matter what the market throws your way. That's called FREEDOM!

Visit lecontewealth.com to explore how our team can help you build stability.

Sales vs. Advice: The Difference Matters to Your Future

Not all financial advice is created equal. Sometimes what sounds like guidance is really just a sales pitch in disguise.

Learn how to tell the difference and why it could make or break your long-term financial plan.

Read more here.

Kevin Painter
Founder
LeConte Wealth

Smart Tax Planning for Retirees

The IRS just released the 2026 long-term capital gains brackets and the news is surprisingly good for many retirees and investors. With the right strategy, you could realize investment gains and owe zero in federal taxes.

Learn how Purpose-Built Planning helps you take advantage of opportunities like this.

Read more here.

Alex Willard, EA
Purpose-Built Planning Director
LeConte Wealth

Recently Published On Financial Friction

No additional blog posts this month.

Economy In Focus

The Data: 

• 0.25% - Fed reduced its benchmark interest rate to 3.75%-4.00%
• 3.0% - Inflation year-over-year
• $7-$14 Billion - Possilbe economic output loss with Government shutdown
  

Commentary:

The combination of a government shutdown, a rate cut in the face of still-elevated inflation, and a labor market showing signs of strain creates a tricky backdrop. On one hand, the Fed is lowering borrowing costs, which could help consumers and borrowers. On the other, inflation remains stubborn and policymakers are flying with a partial data blind-spot.

For investors and savers, key takeaways:

- Lower rates can provide relief in financing large purchases or refinancing debt, but they also squeeze savings yields.

- Inflation at 3% means your purchasing power still erodes, especially in higher-cost categories.

- With the shutdown threatening government services and spending, economic growth could disappoint, which may affect the markets and interest-rate expectations.

The Fed signaled that further cuts are possible but not guaranteed in December or beyond. With inflation above target and economic data limited, the next moves will depend on how the shutdown resolves and how the labor market holds up. If the shutdown lingers, the economy could weaken further - potentially forcing more aggressive easing. If inflation remains sticky, the Fed may have to tread carefully.

Our team will continue watching all three currents - government policy risk, inflation, and monetary policy - very closely. Our Purpose-Built Planning framework helps clients navigate these waters by tying investment decisions back to goals, not headlines. Whether rates go lower, inflation stays elevated, or shocks surface, we build resilient plans that adapt, not chase the next move.

LeConte In The News

‍Our team members pictured below joined the United Way of Blount County on their "Take Over Day" in serving the Blount County Community Action Agency. Our team helped prep close to 300 meals that were delievered to those in need in our community.

Thank you, Tanya, Doug, Karla and Jerica for giving back!

This Halloween, our team went Back to the Future and the 70s showed up in full force! From disco queens (and kings Kevin Painter and Jon Dockery) to Doc Brown, our team had a blast for LeConte's first-ever dress-up day.

The only question left: who did it better, the 70s or the 80s?

Contact us

865-379-8200

[email protected]